Navy Region Northwest greeted the captain and crew of the Peruvian Navy transport ship BAP Mollendo (ATC 131), April 3, with a welcoming ceremony at Pier 66 on Elliott Bay, Seattle.

Mollendo was in Seattle for a four-day port visit. The ship, commanded by Capitan de Fragata, Gonzolo Carrera Mazuelos, has a crew of 134 enlisted and 28 officers.

During their visit the crew toured the Everett home ported USS Ford (FFG 54) at Naval Station Everett, and visited Boeing airfields, as well as Microsoft headquarters in Redmond.

The crew also toured famous Seattle sites, such as the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium, and Pike’s Place Market.

“My junior officers took them on a tour and they enjoyed it a lot,” said Cmdr. John Wilshusen, USS Ford commanding officer. “I spent the last two years in my previous job working with South American navies. I can see we all face similar situations.”

“With more trade and commerce between the countries, most of it goes by ocean. So, we all have a common interest in protecting those sea-lanes, and opportunities like this help build those ties,” Wilshusen added.

During their stay, the Peruvians also hosted tours of Mollendo, which houses a museum displaying some of Peru’s industrial products and cultural artifacts.

“This training cruise lasts 180 days,” said the Peruvian skipper. We’ve already visited ports in French Polynesia, Hong Kong and Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China, The People’s Republic of Korea, Vladivostok in the Russian federation, Tokyo, Japan, and Hawaii and now we are in the beautiful city of Seattle.”

Mazuelos added that fourth and second year midshipmen from the Peruvian Naval Academy were also on board Mollend.

“They are increasing their knowledge about other cultures and training on board,” he said. “This institution will help our midshipmen think about their reasons for becoming Navy officers in the near future.”

The purpose of this training cruise is to spread good will and most importantly, to train a new generation of Peruvian naval leaders with increased integration with the U.S. and other navies.

Rear Adm. Stewart O’Bryan, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, who was on board the Mollendo Friday for a Peruvian buffet style banquet and a performance by traditional Peruvian Marinera dancers and a salsa band, stressed the importance of maintaining friendly ties between the two navies.

“It’s very important for Peru and the United States navies to work together as we both fight terrorism,” O’Bryan said. Mollendo, which pulled out last Sunday, will make one final stop in San Diego before returning to it’s homeport in Lima, Peru.